Volunteer at the Happy Herd

Interested in volunteering at the Happy Herd?

If you are interested in volunteering for us we would love to have you. The more organized we are and the more commitment we have from our amazing volunteers, the better the experience will be for you and for the animals. They also enjoy seeing the same, familiar faces and love to bond with volunteers that can commit to a specific schedule.

Some quick information to consider

  • Volunteers must be 16 years or older.
  • We prefer our volunteers are able to commit to a regular schedule (i.e once a week, or once every two weeks).
  • If you are unable to come on your scheduled day, call or text Diane (number will be provided once confirmed as volunteer).
  • We do not permit outside dogs as our chickens, ducks and turkeys are free to wander around the property.

Volunteering Hours

Year Round: 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM or
Afternoons: 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM (earlier in winter)

Transportation

There is no convenient public transportation to our sanctuary therefore private or group arranged transportation must be organized by the volunteers.

What does volunteering at an animal sanctuary involve?

  • You must bring a signed liability waver with you the first time.
  • Be sure to wear farm appropriate attire: boots or rubber boots, clothing that can get dirty, gloves & a mask if you’re sensitive to dust when cleaning stalls.
  • Please do not bring friends with you unless you have been a minimum of 4x to volunteer & have checked with Diane first. Too many people can make things confusing and jobs can get missed. It works best when everyone is in a routine and doesn’t need to be supervised.
  • There is a volunteer room where you can leave items & a bathroom at the back of the property, next to the donkey and cow areas, beside the feed room.
  • Be sure to ask Diane what you can feed and how much.
  • On your first day you’ll have an orientation with another volunteer where you’ll meet the animals and be shown around the farm. Someone will be available to help you orient to the different jobs so you become comfortable.

Cleaning of cows, pigs, donkey goats & sheep stalls:

  • Raking up old hay and poo into wheelbarrows.
  • Sweep and pick up waste in goat pen.
  • Dumping waste on to designated dump site.
  • Replace bedding (straw or shaving).
  • Filling hay mangers.
  • Emptying, scrubbing, cleaning and refilling water barrels.

Cleaning of chicken coops:

  • Clean and refilling water bowls & food.
  • Cleaning of waste.
  • Gather eggs from the coops.
  • Strip all old bedding from floor and nesting boxes (monthly).
  • Putting down light layer of lime and then cover with shavings
  • Refill nesting boxes with shavings.

Meal preparation for the animals:

  • Sorting vegetables and fruits in the feed room.
  • Discarding unusable items.
  • Preparing meals for the animals as needed.
  • Ensuring a wheelbarrow of hay is left for afternoon feedings of animals.

Animal care:

  • Brush and play with the animals.
  • Pigs love belly rubs.
  • All animals love to be groomed.
  • The pigs need mud holes filled with water in the hot summer weather.

General tasks:

  • General clean up of barn area & removal of hay from grass areas around farm.
  • Notifying Diane & Steve if running low on any items around the farm (hay/straw/shavings/ advising of broken tools etc).
  • Storage of tools in proper area and tidy up during and after completion of work.
  • Weeding/watering garden/plants.
  • Moving Hay into barn loft.
  • Painting fences/houses.

If you have read the above and this looks like a fit for you, kindly read the waiver, then fill out our Volunteer Intake Form. We’ll be in touch. Thank you!